Olson getting comfortable with offense

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Chris Markey has returned kickoffs for only one season, but with a repeat of his 2005 he can become the all-time leader at UCLA in kickoff return yardage. The top 10:

Player

Ret.

Yards

Avg.

Tab Perry (2000-02)

67

1,476

22.03

Brian Brown (1986-89)

66

1,416

21.45

Jim McElroy (1994-97)

54

1,259

23.31

Wally Henry (1974-76)

42

875

20.83

Jojo Townsell (1979-82)

41

963

23.49

Ron Carver (1969-71)

40

890

22.25

Shawn Wills (1988-91)

39

841

21.56

Chris Markey (2004-present)

35

782

22.34

Ricky Davis (1990-92)

33

643

19.48

Maurice Drew (2003-05)

32

787

24.59

LOS ANGELES - Ben Olson had a better day on the practice field Wednesday than in the previous few days, and he said that his comfort level with UCLA's offense is good.

But his recent struggles with reads and throws as more of the offense is installed have left their mark on the quarterback.

"It's been a little frustrating, to be honest," Olson said Wednesday. "But it's part of what the coaching staff is choosing to do, so I have to support that. And I'm just trying to keep a positive attitude, trying to work every day and get better and trying to execute the stuff that we're putting in as an offense. ...

"We install every night, so we're putting new stuff in all the time. It takes time to get it, and that's what practice is for, to put in all the new stuff that we're doing and to come out here and try to learn it. A lot of people are going to make mistakes, but better in practice (than a game)."

Olson and Pat Cowan still are splitting practice snaps, but neither quarterback has much game experience (Olson has thrown four passes, Cowan none). Additional reps will become more valuable as the Bruins approach their Sept. 2 opener against Utah.

In UCLA's West Coast offense, the quarterback is asked to make multiple reads, and that process gets easier only with time and repetition.

"It's kind of funny. You put in a lot at the beginning of fall camp and then you run that stuff, then you put in all your new stuff and you run that," Olson said. "But you're always going back and trying to refresh your memory. You've got to stay on top of it all and do your homework. Lots of plays, sometimes you don't get the reps (you need), just because the way the reps are falling. That's the way it is. You have to try to do it mentally."

Notes

Loyola of Los Angeles safety/cornerback Chris Conte (6-3, 180) was at the morning practice and getting a lot of attention from the UCLA coaches. That was interesting, since he has committed to Cal.

Defensive end Nikola Dragovic participated in some individual drills but still is slowed some by a hamstring strain. He is not likely to participate in the scrimmage Saturday at Drake Stadium. "I think it's really going to be important for us to get him ready to go in the next couple of weeks. But he's getting better," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said.

Tight end Ryan Moya (hamstring) is not likely to play in the scrimmage, and defensive end Bruce Davis (groin muscle), split end Gavin Ketchum (quad contusion) and flanker Brandon Breazell (hip) also are questionable.

The Bruins did some more work on long-yardage situations - with limited success. Olson and Cowan could produce only one first down. Cowan was on the field for that series, converting a third-and-5 pass play to tight end Adam Heater.

Cornerback Rodney Van, who sprained his neck in a collision with strong safety Chris Horton on Monday, returned to practice wearing a red "no-contact" jersey.

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